previously on cereal there's no way that she was at best by 236

did anybody else use the phone? yeah um and on I remember he was talking to a girl um he put

me on a phone with her for like three minutes that said hello to her to be a 17-year-old kid

with no experience with the system, no experience with any of this stuff it's very difficult

to believe in the early stages that this is actually what's happening this must be just some

From this American life in W.B.E.Z. Chicago, it's serial, one story told week by week.

I'm Sarah Canig.

Today's episode is mostly going to take place in the courtroom.

And before we get into the arguments at trial, I just want to play you this thing from a

nun's jury selection.

I used to be a reporter for the Baltimore Sun and I covered some trials.

And if I happen to be in the courtroom for jury selection, it was always such a good

reminder of what living in Baltimore was like for so many people.

Here's what I'm talking about.

December 8, 1999, jury selection for a nun's first trial.

Judge William Quarrell asks a standard question of the jury pool.

Have you or any close family member ever been the victim of a crime, convicted of a crime,

served time for a crime, or have pending criminal charges?

A lot of people rise from their seats and then line up to talk to the judge.

I can't tell exactly what proportion of the jury pool but it looks to be at least half.

Why don't you come up to tell me?

My husband's son was convicted of murder.

...